Henry Hardwicke
It’s round 3 of the 2025-26 English Premier League and we have plenty more eye-catching matchups, with the headline game being between title contenders Liverpool and Arsenal We have a prediction for that hot contest on Sunday, so let’s get into our EPL best bets for gameweek 3 on August 30 and 31, while you can also find out our expert soccer picks for all the big matchups across the EPL and MLS.
EPL best bet: Brentford ML over Sunderland (+155)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Brentford are 6th-favorites in the relegation market, but the Bees can show that the Championship isn’t on their radar when they head to Sunderland on Saturday. Brentford head coach Keith Andrews lost Bryan Mbeumo and Christian Norgaard in the summer, but that’s only 2 players from a squad which finished 10th in the Premier League last term and the west Londoners look a class above Sunderland.
Igor Thiago and Rico Henry are back from long-term injuries and Brentford’s squad has been boosted by the arrival of winger Dango Ouattara. The Bees were good enough to beat Aston Villa 1-0 on home turf last weekend, while Sunderland were brushed aside by Burnley. Andrews’ men look a good bet to leave the Stadium of Light shining.
Read our full Sunderland vs Brentford prediction
EPL best bet: Brighton ML over Manchester City (+320)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing.
Brighton beat Manchester City 2-1 at the Amex last season and the Seagulls picked up a 2-2 tie in the return game at the Etihad. Fabian Hurzeler’s men finished only 10 points behind the Citizens at the end of the campaign and you have to wonder if Pep Guardiola’s team is any stronger this time around.
City were terrible defensively in last weekend’s 2-0 Etihad defeat to Tottenham and that’s no surprise with Ederson out of favor in goal and stalwart defender Kyle Walker now at Burnley. Kevin de Bruyne, who was the driving force behind City’s attacks, left in the summer, and fellow midfielder Rodri is yet to return to his best following a serious injury. At +320 odds, Brighton look tremendous value to upset City at home.
Find out the rest of our EPL and MLS soccer predictions for this weekend
EPL best bet: Liverpool vs Arsenal Over 3.5 goals (+200)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Liverpool scored 86 Premier League goals last season, and if the early part of this campaign is anything to go by, then Arne Slot appears to be taking an even more positive approach. The Reds’ opening 2 games of the season have ended in 4-2 and 3-2 victories, and while Liverpool have looked fearsome in attack, they have been vulnerable in defense.
Arsenal’s new-look attack, headed by Viktor Gyokeres, crashed in 5 goals against Leeds last weekend and the Gunners may find it difficult to avoid being sucked into an open battle at Anfield. Over 3.5 goals looks very overpriced at +200 and is worth taking a chance on.
Read our full Liverpool vs Arsenal prediction
EPL best bet: Aston Villa ML over Crystal Palace (-110)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing.
Crystal Palace has an Eberechi Eze hole to fill, and while the Eagles have cash to splash following his move to Arsenal, the south London squad is looking a little thin. Palace face a swift turnaround from Thursday’s game in Norway for their Europa Conference League playoff tie, and Oliver Glasner isn’t blessed with too many options to rotate his squad.
Aston Villa’s summer has been hampered by financial constraints, but Unai Emery’s men have finished in 4th and 6th in the last 2 Premier League campaigns and a huge drop off looks unlikely. Villa still have a squad packed full of quality and Premier League experience and they should be good enough to get the job done on Sunday.
Read our full Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace prediction
